Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,512, John Erwin, N.C.

SERVICE -
NUMBER
Nb.
Erwin, John
S. 1512.
Rowan N.C.
CONTENTS
carded

22. 179 West Tennessee
John Brown
Giles Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Cowan of the regt commanded by Col Lock in the M. C. mil time for 1 yr -
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Oct 1833 — and sent to German Sesto Pulaski.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 $ 100 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/12 34 20
$ 120. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk Book B Vol. 7 Page 77
Order to pay. — 10. Nov 1837.

State of Georgia August Session of the Giles County 3 County Court of said County for the year 1832
On this the 28th. day of August 1832 personally appeared before in open court before the justices of the said Court now sitting John Erskine a Resident of said County of State aged about seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law, that on his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
He personally volunteered & entered the American service in Bryan County in the State of North Carolina at the age of sixteen or seventeen years for the term of six months. He was in this service under the command of Capt. Thomas Cowan in Col. Pickett's Regiment, & General Rutherford's Brigade - He was marched from said Bryan County into South Carolina to an establishment called the quarter - housed in five miles of Charleston in said last mentioned State, in here they encamped for some weeks. Thence he was marched to Savannah River near the town of Sa- vanah in the State of Georgia from thence to Augusta in the State of Georgia In which latter place the British troops were then stationed the but evacuated

that place within three or four days after the American forces had that place & abandoned it & went back to Savannah where the British troops, then kept their head quarters. He was then marched onto the mouth of Brier Creek, in close pursuit of the enemy - where they lay for some days and where finally sur- rounded by the enemy's troops, & defeated and at length retreated  retreated & split & the remainder of his separate troops reached General Rotherfords Army on the Savannah River. Sometime afterwards they were discharged having completed their term of service A portion  portion was next drafted for three months tour - in this expedition he served under the command of Capt Dixon in Col O'Neys Regiment He was then marched in said State of North Carolina against the English troops, who were then encamped in Char- lotte, a town, in Mecklenburgh County in the State of North Carolina - near which a portion  portion was in a position Potts (hills) in which were then in the possession of the British troops - He & the American soldiers, that were stationed in that quarters - when the British Army evacuated Charlotte town pursued them, fifty or sixty miles down into South Carolina. The object of the British troops, was to cut off their supplies as much as possible For some days they encamped near Lamb Ford on the Catawba River - for the

purpose of annoying the British Army and they returned into the line through Owens' North Carolina, when applicant was discharged -
He was again drafted for a three months term, - in which expe- dition he was led against the Tories on the Adkin River - they had but one short engagement during this campaign when the United States Soldiers defeated the enemy, who were Tories - The American forces to which applicant was attached were, then, stationed in Salisbury where they remained until his term of service expired - When he was discharged returned home - Not having been out of the State of North Carolina du- ring said term of service - He does not remember any further particulars, that would be ma- terial to him - He has no docu- mentary or written evidence of his said services And knows of no person by whom he can prove any of said services that is now living except John Haynes of Giles County Tennessee who was with him during one of the three months terms above set forth - I was in the service with applicant as a Soldier in at Chastleton Town, North Carolina - He has lost all the discharges, that he ever had - He has resided 10 or 11 years in Giles County Tennessee - He hereby relinquishes every claim

we have been - to a pension or annuity in the present and future State has named is not on the pension Roll of the Army of Virginia
sworn to subscribed the 10th day of day of year aforesaid
German Section Clk
Interrogatories of the War de- partment
1st Where in what year was
you born? I was born in Roan County North Carolina
2nd Have you any record of your age? If so where is it?
Ans. I have no record of my age. The Record of my age was lost when my Father died
3rd Where were you living in at the time of service? In here have you lived since the Revolutionary war & when do you now live?
Ans. When I was called into service I was living in Roan County,
North Carolina, part of my time since the War in the aforementioned from thence I moved to South Carolina. Spartanburg County where I live some time from thence I moved to Giles County State of Penna - where I have lived ever since
4th How was you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if so substitute for whom?
Ans. I volunteered at the age of seventeen,
5th State the names of some of the Revolutionary officers, also men with Brigadier

the troops, in how far forward, such continental & military arguments, as you can read other than the general circumstances of your services?
Answer. I was under the Command of General Rutherford a part of my time, and a part of my time under Lock. in Capt. Thomas Berson Company
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given & in what has become of it
Answer. I received a discharge, but have lost it.
7th Have the number of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for integrity (veracity), and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. I am known to William Kennedy, Paul Childs Esq. John Young Esq. Thomas Denny Francis Beard & many others who can testify as to my character for veracity.
We John Wilson a clergyman residing in the County of Giles & State of Pennsylvania and Paul Childs of said County & State hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Erwin, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy years of age

that he is reputed & believed in the neigh- bourhood in here he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and also concurs in that opinion. —
Sworn to and subscribed John Wilson the day and year Paul Childs afore.
And the said Court does hereby declare their opin- ion after the investigation of the matter after putting the enclosed papers produced by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a soldier of the Revolutionary States . And served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that John Wilson, who has signed the foregoing certificate is clergy man- residing in said County of Giles & Penn Childs who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Giles & said State, and is a creditable person and their statement is ent- itled to credit and that John Keay who has also subscribed and sworn to the foregoing annexed, is also a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Thos. Webb one of the Justices of Giles County Court
H. M. M. Upshaw one of the Justices of Giles County Court
Jacob Jones one of the Justices of Giles County Court

No 23032
John Erwin Giles county Tennessee West
for 17 private 17 1/2 $40
Germanester & the Giles county Tennessee Pulaski

BRIEF in the case of John Eason  County of Giles — in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17 — 6 — — As a private Gen. Withersford   — 3 — — private Capt Bowman , Col Geh   — 3 — — Capt Dixon , Col Davy ,  
Vol. Draft —
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rowan County North Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness & traditional evidence  Clergymans certificate &c. Witness certified credible  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richd. H. May Examining Clerk.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
M.E.C. Inv. 1,512.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
August 6, 1897.
Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning John Erwine, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and Ephraim Arnold who is supposed to have taken part in the battle of Tippecanoe, you are advised as follows:
One John Erwin made an application for pension on August 28, 1832, at which time he was seventy years of age and residing in Giles Co., Tenn., and his pension was allowed for one year's actual service as a private in the North Carolina troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Thomas Cowan and Col. Lock. He enlisted in Rowan Co., N. C.
A very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Ephraim Arnold has not been found upon the Indian war pension records on file in this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Miss Laura Fawcett Arnold,
Commissioner.
138 - 6th St. N. E.,
City.

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 1512
John Brown Mo. N. G. Allen
Act: June 7, 1882.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 115-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6 Mrs Laura F. Arnold. Aug. 19/38 - 6 H. N. E. City

FREE
Mr Evans
Mail
J Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington

NEWCASTLE NOV 20 1841 Mr Evans
FREE
J Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington
Mail 3

ii Pulaski Octobr 28 th 1837
The pension papers of John Crain and James Turner please find enclosed they are forwarded to follow special order for their payment
Yr obed Servt
To J s Edward Co q Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
M ary Martin legat

John Edwin
230 32

State of Tennessee
I Herman Lester clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarters sessions holden for the County of Giles in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of said Court in the matter of the appli- =cation of John Erwin for a Pension
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 2 d day of January 1833
Herman Lester Clerk

John Erwin Dear

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Erwin further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Witness
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No not properly attached
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

John Erwin

State of Tennessee August Sessions of the County Court Giles County 3 of said County for the year 1832
On this 27 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, John Haynes aged about 72 years & nine months, and after being duly sworn according to law - made oath that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war & that he was well acquainted with John Erwin during the Revolutionary war and that he was in the service of the United States with the said Erwin in said war that he and the said Erwin served a three months tour, in said war in the same Company - under the Command of Col. Joseph Dixon, and in the Regiment of Col. Dancy that said Erwin rendered said service faithfully & was honorably discharged & also he understood about the time that of said war was carrying on - that the said Erwin was out in other part Military service during said war - & that said Erwin now lives in Giles County Tennessee - that he is about to make application at the present term of the said County Court of said County to have the  the  claims thereby entitled to said war, near department for the purpose of pursuing a pension under a Act of Congress. John Haynes sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid German Sester Clk.